Conflict and Security Advisor
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066318R00014
2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 24, 2018
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 23, 2018, before and/or on 5:00 PM (Ethiopian local time)
4. POSITION TITLE: Conflict and Security Advisor
5. MARKET VALUE: $75,628-$98,317 equivalent to GS-13.The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with options to extend for four (4) additional years, one year at a time. Extensions will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds. No PSC contract may exceed a five year period of performance.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
8. WHO MAY APPLY: United States Citizens
9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). The requirements of the position will require the candidate to obtain a USG Secret clearance. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.
10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
A. Background
USAID works with local communities and the Government of Ethiopia to prevent and manage conflict. Closely linked to these efforts is assistance to enhance good governance by supporting the government's efforts on building accountable institutions, thereby promoting transparency and public accountability. One part of good governance is instilling confidence within the local population of long-term peace and security in the country. Peace and security is vital for all - whether government institutions, international donors, private companies or individuals - to commit towards making the necessary investments required for transformative and sustainable development. USAID assists the Government and local communities with internal conflict mitigation and reconciliation, working across several regions and federal universities. Programs have increasingly been able to address root causes of conflict and establish productive links with humanitarian and livelihood promotion activities. Activities also promote inter-state efforts to manage conflict and promote development along their common boundaries.
Position Overview
Advises the Mission Director, Deputy Director, Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) Chief, Office Directors, and other Mission staff on conflict, security/justice, democracy and governance issues as they relate to strategy development/adjustments, most appropriate USG response, and program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent assists the DGO Director to manage programs; supports and contributes to DGO regular and ad hoc reporting; and coordinates with senior Government of Ethiopia (GOE), African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Peace & Security Officials, civil society and donor representatives. Reinforcing use of the "conflict lens" is a mission priority. Position will help improve conflict sensitive programming approaches across the mission portfolio.
B. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION:
The incumbent serves as the Conflict & Security Specialist/Advisor to USAID/Ethiopia under the immediate supervision of the Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) Chief/Director. This position is the key leader in assisting USAID/USG to understand the causes of insecurity, drivers of violent conflict and in developing effective means for addressing vulnerabilities, promoting stability and strengthening resilience in Ethiopia. The Conflict & Security Specialist/Advisor provides program management and technical expertise to USAID/Ethiopia within the full scope of its democracy and governance portfolio, and in its outreach to and coordination with the US Embassy, the GOE, IGAD, AU, USAID/East Africa regional office, and other international donors.
2. Statement of Duties to be performed
Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
Technical Expertise (40%)
1. Stay abreast of and report on matters pertaining to preventing and managing violent conflict with an emphasis on key drivers of conflict such as ethnic and/or religious identity, land, natural resources and climate change.
2. Provide strategic direction and technical guidance on conflict sensitive and people centred approaches for conflict mitigation and management (CMM) activities, including security sector reform (SSR) and preventing/countering violent extremism.
3. Delivers presentations and facilitates trainings/awareness-raising sessions on relevant security/justice and conflict topics (such as Do No Harm) as appropriate.
4. USAID representative and lead for improving policies and practices (including humanitarian assistance and development assistance) in the nexus between land, natural resources, climate change and conflict/security.
5. Develop, manage and implement research activities that consolidate and advance USAID/USG understanding of key policy challenges and responses relating to relevant areas of work, particularly security, justice and conflict programming.
6. Support and contribute to the drafting and submission of regular USAID strategic, planning and reporting documents, including but not limited to strategy statements, the Operational Plan, Semi-Annual Reviews and Annual Reports, annual CMM alert lists report; and ad hoc requests for updates and reports from the broader US Embassy in Ethiopia and USAID and State Department in Washington.
7. Maintain effective working relationships with and represent USAID to senior representatives of GOE ministries/agencies and state officials, IGAD and AU officials, Ethiopian civil society, multilateral and bilateral donors in his/her areas of program responsibility.
Coordination, Collaboration, Knowledge Management and Dissemination (30%)
8. Liaise with other USAID offices to ensure synergies between the DGO strategies and activities and those of other sectors.
9. Provide guidance and support development assistance on Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE), conflict, security, and democracy and governance issues as other USAID offices forge and sustain relationships with various bilateral partners and other donors.
10. Identify and build synergies between USAID/USG CMM, P/CVE and/or SSR policy/plans/strategies and the plans and strategies of other Donor Partners, regional entities (e.g. IGAD, USAID/East Africa Mission) and GOE programs.
11. As required, s/he will provide in-depth briefings on areas of responsibility to the interagency, Mission Director and Ambassador, as well as other Mission staff.
12. Maintain institutional awareness and understanding of the following as they relate to the above-mentioned program areas:
I. Conflict and security developments, trends and climate as they pertain to Ethiopia and its relationships with neighbours in the wider Horn of Africa, accounting for the growing geo-political/security and economic influence of the gulf countries (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen);
II. Political developments, trends and climate, particularly as they relate to the establishment of the culture and practices of multi-party democracy. This includes tracking the relationship within the ruling party and its coalition members and following the relationship between various regional states and the center (federal government);
III. Issues that become the focus of wide public debate, policy development within the executive branch, legislation in the House of People's Representatives and local councils, and the interests and positions of concerned and relevant stakeholders inside and outside of government;
IV. Relations and interactions between different branches of government and between the ruling and opposition parties in and outside of Parliament and local councils;
V. Relations and interactions between key identity groups (religious, ethnic, clan, political, class/economic, urban/rural, livelihood and on university campuses);
VI. Institutional strengthening, capacity building and reform needs and strategies for government and civil society organizations, political parties and government and private media;
VII. Government, political party, civil society and donor strategies and activities that either further or hinder the promotion of conflict prevention/mitigation as well as the advancement of democracy and good governance.
Activity Management (15%)
13. Serves as Activity Manager, Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative (COR)/AOR for projects as agreed with the Office Director, managing projects within the total portfolio value of $34 million.
14. Provide oversight for the DGO conflict mitigation and management portfolio, including related engagements for USAID/Ethiopia. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, providing advice for realignments of budgets, and assisting the Office Director to align portfolio activities with Ethiopia's socio-political realities.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.
Administrative Management and Supervision (15%)
16. The Conflict/Security Advisor is responsible for overall administrative management of the CMM portfolio, including supervision of at least one Foreign Service National (FSN). S/he oversees all related administrative processes for employee(s) on his/her team, including day-to-day management and completion of annual performance reviews, review of position descriptions, professional development plans and leave requests. The incumbent will also advise, consult, and notify DGO leadership of personnel matters that require action.
17. The Incumbent will be responsible for understanding and incorporating USAID core values and USAID Ethiopia's Leadership Behavior Charter into all aspects of his/her work.
3. Supervisory Relationship
Incumbent reports directly to the USDH FS-01 Democracy and Governance Office Chief. S/he may receive guidance from senior Mission management as the situation warrants. The Conflict/Security Advisor will be expected to show strong independent initiative and work with minimal supervision.
4. Supervisory Controls
The incumbent will manage at least one FSN.
11. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:
For USPSC:
• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING;
• Be able to obtain secret clearance;
• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;
• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;
• Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. No special demands are required to perform the work.
13. POINT OF CONTACT: Shelby Hunt, S/EXO, and/or Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov.
Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
This position requires a combination of high-level technical, analytical, communication and managerial skills combined with senior-level public diplomacy skills. The following specific qualifications are necessary:
EDUCATION: REQUIRED: A minimum of a master's degree in conflict/peace building, political science, law, human rights or a related field. Evidence that applicant is actively engaged in maintaining an updated knowledge/skill set in the advancement of theory and practice in the relevant field. A master's degree can be substituted with an additional three years of relevant development experience.
WORK EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the design and management of development programs, at least five of which have included specific and extensive involvement in conflict prevention, mitigation and management, P/CVE, community security/justice, early warning architecture and/or capacity building of formal and customary conflict prevention/management structures and systems. DESIRED: Prior work or consultative experience with USAID or other bilateral or multilateral development agencies. Prior work experience with the Government of Ethiopia and/or Ethiopian Non-governmental Organizations.
LANGUAGE: REQUIRED: Fluent English speaking, reading and writing. A test of written English will be administered. Amharic or other local language skill at the conversational level will be an advantage.
II. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
1. SELECTION PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS
After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant's cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant's concurrence.
2. EVALUATION FACTORS
Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. To be considered for this position, applicants are required to address each of the Selection Criteria on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criteria described below, citing specific, illustrative examples to address each factor. Responses are limited to 300 words per factor, Times New Roman font, 12-font size, and 1" margins. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each additional page. The interview will also include a timed, written exercise in which applicants will be asked to answer questions related to the position. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors will result in the applicant not receiving full credit.
FACTOR #1: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED (25 points)
Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in the theory, tools and practice of conflict analysis, management and mitigation (CMM), and the proven ability to apply this knowledge and expertise effectively in real life situations. Relevant experience in strategy and policy formulation, particularly in the areas of CMM/peacebuilding, security sector reform, and preventing and countering violent extremism.
FACTOR #2: COUNTRY KNOWLEDGE (10 points)
Understanding/knowledge of Ethiopia through a historical and contemporary socio-politically lens and how this perspective influences and shapes the possible CMM/CVE landscape for USAID programming. Ability to identify and prioritize drivers of conflict and sources of resilience in Ethiopia, including windows of vulnerability, opportunity and entry points for USG programming.
FACTOR #3: ABILITIES AND SKILLS (15 points)
Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain an extensive range of high-level contacts in governmental, civil society and broader community circles. Rigorous analytical skills successfully applied within a complex and potentially volatile socio-economic/political landscape with proven ability to effectively articulate this analysis in writing, verbal briefs and presentations. Demonstrated ability to fulfill all aspects of program management.
FACTOR #4: COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH (10 points)
Demonstrated experience in chairing and facilitating meetings and/or public speaking and presentations. Relationship development, negotiation, advocacy, and consensus building experience with donors, other development partners, and host government officials.
The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.
3. BASIS OF RATING
Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows:
Evaluation Factors: 60 points
Factor #1 25 points
Factor #2 10 points
Factor #3 15 points
Factor #4 10 points
Interview Performance: 40 points
Oral interview and timed, written test
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned)
Total Possible Points: 100
III. APPLYING
Applicants must provide at least three references with current contact information, preferably both an e-mail address and a telephone number. (The Selection Committee will conduct reference checks of the highest ranked applicants). References will be asked to complete a questionnaire that assesses the applicant's technical knowledge, work performance, communication skills, and group dynamics, using the above specific criteria. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant's suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner. All applicants must complete the attached Application for Employment (AID 302-3) and submit a cover letter outlining their relevant qualification and experience for the position.
For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:-
1. Letter of application/cover letter.
2. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 302-3, "Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts," available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
3. Current resume/CV.
4. Written statements of the four factors (Section II.2. Evaluation Factors).
5. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3,
and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.
6. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
7. Application must be submitted ONLY via addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say -: 72066318R00014 Conflict and Security Advisor.
8. Please submit the application only once; and
9. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopian time 5:00 p.m. (Local Ethiopia Time)
IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.
1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or
3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)
V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
1. BENEFITS:
(a) Employer's FICA Contribution
(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment
(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
(f) Annual and Sick Leave
2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable)*:
Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)
(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)
(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)
(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)
(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)
(g) Education Travel (Section 280)
(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and
(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)
* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
*Eligibilities for allowances are in accordance with Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) based on the type of appointment and Mission Policy.
VI. TAXES
USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
VII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:
1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, "Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions," available at:
https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .
3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .
4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch," available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .
END OF SOLICITATION
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.
The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.
RAHEL MILLION, HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT, Phone 251111306043, Email RMILLION@USAID.GOV - Tamirate Fekadu, Human Resources Specialist, Phone 251111306002, Email ftamirate@usaid.gov
